Talise Spa supplements a traditional hammam with a clay mask and gold-leaf treatment

The Ottomans may have invented the steam-bath ritual but Talise Spa in Dubai’s Madinat Jumeirah has added luxury and 24-carat gold to the mix.

As it was my first experience of a hammam, I was bracing myself for something of a pummeling – but what transpired was an afternoon of blissful pampering.

The products Talise uses are made by Shiffa, a UAE-based skincare company whose name means “healing” in Arabic. I was shown into a large, private treatment room where the therapist talked me through the glinting jars, lotions and potions. Gold leaf floated in bottles of clear gel, catching the light and promising to “leave me glowing” as the lady reassured me. The precious metal was, however, not going to make its grand entrance for a little while yet, for I was off to experience the more traditional hammam steps first.

Acclimatisation to the adjoining hot steam chamber was top of the list and after five minutes on a warm stone bed, the therapist began applying an amber-coloured paste know as black soap. It’s a grainy organic substance, made from olive oil, Atlas rose blossom, orange-flower extract and eucalyptus, which is heralded for its cleansing and purifying properties while keeping the skin hydrated. My long hair was given a similar treatment and whipped into a creamy lather. What went on, had to come off – it was time for the big scrub down. Firmly, the therapist worked from head to toe, exfoliating the body with an oversized mitt. Then, with my skin tingling from the process, it was time to hop into the shower for a quick rinse.

Original article by Rebecca McLaughlin-Duane

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Talise Spa supplements a traditional hammam with a clay mask and gold-leaf treatment